Container for human bodies



June 3, 1958 A. F. ZIEGLER 2,836,376

CONTAINER FOR HUMAN BODIES Filed Sept. 9, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEY CGNTAINER FUR HUMAN BODIES Albert F. Ziegler, Concord, Mich.

Applicah'on September 9, 1954, Serial No. 454,869

1 Qlaim. (Cl. 27-h) The present invention relates to improvements in container structure for the handling, shipping and burial of bodies.

It is the object of the invention to provide improved utility case for general use by undertakers. Accidental death and the handling of decomposed bodies for burial, and other purposes, presents many problems which have not been satisfactorily solved by existing structure and methods.

According to the present invention a hermetically sealed sheet metal contm'ner is provided which may be used for picking up bodies at the scene of an accident, it may be used for shipping bodies as it complies with all handling requirements of public utilities, it is especially adapted for disinterment and the handling of decomposed bodies with complete sanitation, and the improved container may be used directly in the burial casket as a liner.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the main body portion of the container,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an end view of the complete container showing the top in position,

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the top being lowered into position upon the main body, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional detail of the sealing structure.

My improved container comprises a main body portion and a cover 12, both of sheet metal, welded and soldered at all joints into an integral fluid tight structure. Twenty gauge steel has been found to furnish ample strength yet provide a light weight structure suficiently rigid to permit rail shipment with complete security.

The container parts are preferably shaped to fit within the standard octagon casket with the handles 14 attached to the main body portion ill along the upper edge and opposite sides and being so arranged as to be disposed above the top of the portion it and be capable of being hinged inwardly over the flanged edge 16 when the cover 12 is removed and over the top of the cover 12 when the cover 12 is applied to the main body portion 10.

Sheet metal straps 18 are welded to the outside of the portion 1% and off-set at 2i) to clear the outer flange 22 of the cover 12. The ends 24 of the straps 18 are formed about the handles 14 to provide a hinged connection therewith.

To hermetically seal the body Within the container structure, a soft rubber sealer or gasket 26 is positioned in a peripheral channel defined between the outer flange 22 and the inner flange 28. Closely positioned sheet metal screws 3t) located through the upper surface of the cover 12 extend through the sealer 26 and engage with the flange 16 to draw the latter into fluid tight sealing relation with the soft rubber sealer or gasket 26.

l -atomized dune 3, EQSU The channeled pressure sensitive sealer 26 afiords an air tight enclosure relieving the undertaker of the concern of ofiending odors in his hearse, ambulance or funeral chapel. Complete protection is also provided in contagious cases. A temporary seal of the top 12 with respect to the main body ill may be accomplished by merely fitting the flange 16 into the channel carrying the sealer 2t; and exerting a downward pressure upon the top 12.

When circumstances do not permit the carrying and handling of a body in the usual manner by the undertaker, the body may be removed to the undertaking establishment using my improved container as a transport and sealing medium and then with the container permanently sealed, the container may be placed directly into the casket to provide a hermetically sealed liner with all the accompanying advantages. Because of the light weight construction of the container defined by the body Jill and the top 12, the weight of the casket at the time of burial is not excessively increased.

The specific construction and arrangement of the handles 14 is an important part of the present invention. By welding the straps 13 to the outside of the body lit no openings are made through the sides of the body it which would require sealing or might, after sealing, result in leakage. The off-set 2% in each strap 18 and the location of the end 24 of the strap 1% enables the handle i to be hinged over the to; 12 so as to avoid interference with the casket trim or structure.

Having thus described my invention what i claim as new and desire to cover by Letters Patent is:

A casket liner and container a sheet metal body having fluid tight sides and bottom, said sides being substantially vertical and having along their upper e g a flat inturned horizontally disposed peripheral flan e, a fluid tight flat sheet metal top having a turned peripheral outer edge to define a flat substanti ly vertical flange, an L-section sheet metal member having one attached to the under side of said top and the other spaced from said vertical flange and substantially parallel thereto to define a downwardly facing peripheral channel of a width to snuggly receive said peripheral flange, relatively soft rubber sealer disposed in said channel, said peripheral flange being received in said channel to abut said sealer, screws disposed downwardly through said channel and sealer and engaging said peripheral flange to provide an air tight structure, handle straps attached to the outer surface of said sides of said body and extending above said inturned peripheral flange, said straps being slightly off-set from said sides adjacent said inturned flange to provide clearance for said vertical flange of said channel upon telescoping of said peripheral flange within said channel, and handles hinged to the upper ends of said straps to overlie said top when out of use.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5,920 Fisk Nov. 14, 184-8 353,772 Baker Dec. 7, 1886 751,318 Maranville Feb. 2, 1904 820,002 Pitts Sept. 4, 1906 830,095 Morse Sept. 4, 1906 858,902 Norton July 2, 1907 FOREIGN PATENTS 344,823 France Sept. 17, 1904 

